The song was not particularly successful when it was first released, likely due in part to the political climate of the time. It fared notably better when it was recorded by Peter, Paul and Mary more than a decade later. Their cover of the song, released in August 1962, became a Top 10 hit.
The song has since been recorded by dozens of major artists, including a version by Trini Lopez on his 1963 album Trini Lopez at PJ's, which reached No. 3 in the USA, as well as one by Leonard Nimoy, which appeared on his 1968 release The Way I Feel. Australian folk group The Seekers also performed the song, and recorded it in 1963.
If I Had a Hammer
Peter Paul & Mary Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'd hammer in the morning
I'd hammer in the evening
All over this land
I'd hammer out danger
I'd hammer out a warning
I'd hammer out love between
My brothers and my sisters
If I had a bell
I'd ring it in the morning
I'd ring it in the evening
All over this land
I'd ring out danger
I'd ring out a warning
I'd ring out love between
My brothers and my sisters
All over this land, oh
If I had a song
I'd sing it in the morning
I'd sing it in the evening
All over this land
I'd sing out danger
I'd song of out a warning
I'd sing out love between
My brothers and my sisters
All over this land, oh
Well, I've got a hammer
And I've got a bell
And I've got a song to sing
All over this land
It's the hammer of justice
It's the bell of freedom
It's a song about love between
My brothers and my sisters
All over this land
It's a hammer of justice
It's a bell of freedom
It's a song about love between my brothers and my sisters
All over this land
The lyrics of Peter Paul & Mary's "If I Had A Hammer" are imbued with powerful political and social messages. Hammering is used as a metaphor for activism, ringing a bell for alerting people to injustice, and singing a song for spreading a message of love for humanity. The verses emphasize the universality of these actions, urging everyone to take part in them to create a better world for all.
The song's first verse portrays hammering as a constructive tool to build a world free from danger, warning, and discrimination. The hammer represents physical work towards social justice, but also the strength and determination to make a difference in the world. The second verse introduces the bell, which is used to complement the hammer's actions by ringing out the message of danger and warning that needs to be addressed. Finally, the third verse introduces the power of singing and how it can inspire and unite people from all backgrounds in fighting for the common cause of love and equality.
The chorus brings together the three symbols - hammer, bell, and song - and celebrates their transformative power. The song's message is a reminder that these symbols of freedom, justice, and unity have always been present, and it's up to us to use them to create a world that is fair for all.
Line by Line Meaning
If I had a hammer
If I had the power to make a change
I'd hammer in the morning
I would work hard to create progress and change
I'd hammer in the evening
I would consistently work towards change, never stopping
All over this land
Everywhere I go, in every corner of the world
I'd hammer out danger
I would work to eliminate any danger or threat
I'd hammer out a warning
I would alert people to potential dangers or threats
I'd hammer out love between
I would promote love and understanding between people
My brothers and my sisters
All people, regardless of gender or ethnicity
If I had a bell
If I had a way to be heard, to spread awareness
I'd ring it in the morning
I would make my voice heard early on
I'd ring it in the evening
I would keep spreading awareness, even at night
I'd ring out danger
I would make people aware of potential danger
I'd ring out a warning
I would alert people to potential threats
I'd ring out love between
I would promote love and understanding between people
If I had a song
If I had a way to connect with others
I'd sing it in the morning
I would start my day with positivity and hope
I'd sing it in the evening
I would end my day with positivity and hope
I'd sing out danger
I would make people aware of potential danger
I'd song of out a warning
I would alert people to potential threats
I'd sing out love between
I would promote love and understanding between people
Well, I've got a hammer
I have the power to make a change
And I've got a bell
I have a way to spread awareness
And I've got a song to sing
I have a way to connect with others
It's the hammer of justice
My actions strive towards justice and equality
It's the bell of freedom
The awareness I spread leads towards freedom and liberty
It's a song about love between
My message and mission promote love and unity
My brothers and my sisters
All people, regardless of gender or ethnicity
All over this land
In every corner of the world
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Tratore, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lee Hays, Pete Seeger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@melaninsupergurl-vu4uv
@@SophiaSchwartz009 stalinist communists with the hammer of the hammer and sickle.
Written for the Progressive Party which was controlled from Moscow because they needed a new face because HCSA was going to make CPUSA illegal.
Progressive equals Communist.
Don't let anyone fool you.
AOC, ANTIFA etc.
@h2d127
Sent this song to my friend who’s going through chemotherapy and all he wants to do is ring the bell 🔔 which will signal his success. Please pray for him every one who reads this message. Thank you so much!
@alanstar9175
Praying for your friend to get through this most difficult time of his life. May he be blessed and surrounded with good, loving, and positive energy. Sending him lots of this energy for recovery.
@user-cy2oc2bj1g
Im 47yo.. When i was 6yo my dad would play this song while doing carpentry in our house... Thanks dad for all our wonderful memories, grateful to God for giving me the best dad in the whole world.. Rest well in heaven... You are forever in my heart!❤❤ ❤❤
@pmimagery1295
This is the first song I ever learned to sing. I used to sing it to my grandparents, may God bless their souls.
@not2tees
The hammer of justice, the bell of freedom . . . they ring forever.
@Teho231
There’s something about that song that speaks to my heart even when I first heard it as a child in the 60’s. Thank you for this wonderful download.
@bigbadwolf200335
We used to sing this in school in the 60's and 70's
@beckyyeagersmith7252
IF any of us had HALF the conviction as Mary singing this song, swinging her hair...meaning it. By golly, we'd get things DONE .
@wislinman
Mary Travers for President (I know...)!!!
@9175rock
Smh